Toyota Auris 2.0 D-4D TR

When did you last get excited about a Toyota? While you can’t fault the quality of the firm’s engineering and its commitment to green technology, since the demise of the Celica, Supra and MR2 sports cars, the firm has failed to set pulses racing.

To combat the dreaded ‘boring’ tag, most manufacturers develop sporting flagships for their model ranges. Whether badged GTI, VXR or RS, they sell in small numbers, but show just what’s possible when engineers let their hair down.

Not so with the Auris. The range-topping model is the diesel SR180. Costing £18,695 in five-door form, the flagship can’t match the thrills of similarly priced hot hatch rivals. You’ve got to look further down the compact family hatchback’s line-up to find a model that makes more sense.

Toyota has added the TR variant to provide a taste of sporty motoring at a price to compete with so-called budget rivals such as the Pro_cee’d. So how does it compete? The first thing that’s clear is that the Japanese model is not nearly as racy as its rival. While the TR models pictured in Toyota’s current ad campaign ride on sporty optional alloys, in standard five-door trim – complete with our test car’s tow bar – the Auris looks positively pensionable.

Inside, Toyota’s unparalleled car building experience is more obvious. There’s a lack of style, but the Auris is hard to fault ergonomically. The classy floating dials and digital displays look smart, while the upright MPV-style driving position makes the light controls easy to reach.

If you need to travel in the rear, it’s the Toyota you’ll choose. The five-door body gives the Auris a clear advantage for versatility, while its less coupé-like tailgate and simple folding rear seats make its luggage area more practical, too.

So the Toyota loses out in the fashion parade but makes up for it inside – how does it fare out on the road, though? Start the 128bhp 2.0-litre diesel, and refinement is immediately impressive. As you slot the light, accurate gearlever into the next ratio, the powerplant only becomes raucous at high revs. However, performance isn’t as gutsy as the Kia’s; be prepared to make a downchange to keep pace on steep slopes.

Tackle a roundabout or tight corner, and the Toyota turns in without any drama. The steering is a little over-assisted, but if you carry too much speed you will only have to deal with safe, predictable understeer. A smooth ride also comes as standard, helping to make the Auris a great motorway cruiser. Add an 18 per cent company car tax rating and near 50mpg economy, and high-mileage business drivers could do far worse.
The trouble is, there’s nothing at all memorable about the Toyota’s dynamics, styling or cabin. Priced at £15,795 in five-door form or £500 less as a three-door, the TR is a thoroughly sensible option, but these days that’s not enough to be a class leader. Will that cost it victory here?